Manteca firefighters will be collecting school supplies for area teachers and their classrooms through an effort by retired teacher Carl Wilhoff, right, and retired Tracy Fire Chief Terrell Estes, ...

GLENN KAHL/The Bulletin

The lack of school supplies in Manteca Unified classrooms is being addressed by two Manteca residents and the members of the Manteca Fire Department.

Retired elementary school teacher Carl Wilhoff and former Tracy Fire Chief Terrell Estes have put together a program asking members of the public to drop donations of classroom supplies off at any Manteca fire station.

“It is unfortunate this year that most teachers will only receive $50 for works supplies, things like paper, pencils, crayons, construction paper and the list goes on,” Wilhoff said.He asked that the public refrain from donating money to the effort that is supporting grades kindergarten through fifth grade.

Wilhoff, who has been substituting in the district for the last 12 years, said they are asking for lined and unlined paper, construction paper, crayons, pencils, folders, paste, glue, water colors, paint brushes, paper clips and staples.

He added that regularly scheduled collections will be made at the fire departments and it will be on ongoing effort throughout the school year.